Forecast 2010: What to Expect in a Year of Recovery

摘要

While the outlook for 2010 is optimistic, chemical industry sentiment remains cautious as producers hope that recent demand improvement -- spurred largely by huge global stimulus programs -- can be sustained. Global chemical industry output is forecast to increase 4.6% this year, just about offsetting a 4.6% contraction in 2009, according to ACC estimates. Emerging markets are the clear bright spot, led by China as its domestic demand thrives in response to government stimulus. ACC's production forecast calls for 2010 growth of 12% in China, 8% in India, 7% in Brazil, and 5% in Russia. The US chemicals sector is in recovery mode, but growth will be moderate. US chemicals output is expected to fall 6.2% for 2009, rising 3.4% in 2010 and 4% in 2011, ACC says. In the US, GDP is forecast to fall 2.3% in 2009, and rise by 2.6% in both 2010 and 2011. Details of the industry's global forecast are presented.